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Fracture stimulation experiment in Baca 20

Journal Article · · Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5390747

The Geothermal Reservoir Well Stimulation Program group performed a large hydraulic fracture treatment in the well Baca 20, located in Union's Redondo Creek Project Area in northcentral New Mexico. A nonproductive 240-foot openhole interval, with a formation temperature of 520/sup 0/F, was selected and isolated for the job. The treatment utilized a large cooling water pre-pad followed by a high viscosity frac fluid carrying sintered bauxite as the proppant. Post-stimulation tests and analyses indicate a fracture was created with a vertical height of about 100 feet at the wellbore. This is the highest temperature well in the world to be successfully prop-fractured to date. A number of fracture evaluation techniques were used to analyze the job, including some that are quite unique. Among these techniques were fracture mapping by monitoring the miscroseismic events caused by the fracture job, downhole pressure data analyses, temperature profiles, electric log surveys, production tests, and chemical tracer monitoring. The post-stimulation fluid productivity of the well is sub-commercial, probably because of low formation permeability surrounding the artificially created fracture.

Research Organization:
Republic Geothermal, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, California
OSTI ID:
5390747
Journal Information:
Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States) Vol. 6; ISSN TGRCD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English